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DD Bharati to air live coverage of dance & music festivals in January
NEW DELHI: Even as it depends on Doordarshan archives for its programming, DD Bharati has planned several live reportage during this month, apart from the telecast of the Republic Day Parade.
There is a subtle relationship between ancient places of worship and classical dances. The gracefully dipping and rising contours of these temples does reveal that it is the same lyricality, which one perceives in the movements of Indian dances. The temple architecture of ancient India as well as classical dances were born of the same aesthetic sensibilities. That is the probable reason for important dance festivals to be held against the ideal backdrop of ancient temples.
DD Bharati will cover live the three-day Mukteswar Odissi dance festival that gets underway at the Mukteswar temple premises in Bhubaneswar from 14 to 16 January featuring solo dances by Sujata Mohapatra, Sangeeta Dash and Naba Kishore Mishra; duets by Lingaraj Pradhan-Sanjukta Dutta, Rashmi Raj-Biswabhusan Mohapatra and Debasish Patnaik-Niladri Bhusan Mohanty besides group presentations by the Vitalina Lobach and troupe from Russia, Poushali Mukerjee’s troupe from Kolkata and Odisha Dance Academy, Bhubaneswar.
Mukteshwar Temple in Bhubneswar famous for its elegantly carved arched gateway is considered as one of the finest examples of Orissan Architecture. The complex of this legendary temple serves as the venue of the Mukteshwar Dance Festival. The festival celebrates the unrivalled charisma of Odissi, the classical dance form of Orissa.
DD Bharati will also telecast live some sequences from the Sirpur National Dance and Music Festival from Raipur on 16 January from 8 pm, on 17 January from 6 pm, and on 18 January from 8 pm.
Perched on the banks of Mahanadi, Sirpur is a small town located 85 km away from the state capital, Raipur and has astonishing monuments in the form of temples and Buddhist monasteries (Viharas), all set into a picturesque canvas of exquisite nature and meditative peace. In the midst of this exoticism and mysticism unfolds the much acclaimed Sirpur National Dance and Music Festival – held year after year in the month of January, under the auspices of the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board.
Amongst the renowned Indian and international artistes who will grace the festival this year are Kathak dancer and Hindustani classical music vocalist Pt. Birju Maharaj, English percussionist Peter Robert Lockett, American saxophonist and composer George Brooks, Jazz percussionist – Phil Maturano, Indian playback singer Anuradha Paudwal, Indian musician and sitar player Shujaat Husain Khan, Indian classical musician and santoor player Rahul Sharma.
DD Bharati will return to Bhubaneswar for live reportage of the Rajarani Festival from 18-20 January from 6-8 pm. The Rajarani Music Festival, held in the courtyard of the Rajarani Temple in Bhubneswar, is one such occasion to celebrate the richness and originality of Indian classical music. Evening concerts by great maestros of Indian Classical music fill the air with enchanting chimes. The Festival will showcase mandolin exponent U. Srinivas from Chennai, legendary Carnatic vocalist M. Balamuralikrishnan, celebrated couple – violinist L.Subramaniam and Kavita Krishnamurti.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
